King Of New York (1990)

This movie stinks

I really like Christopher Walken, but this movie is a real dead dog. One of the worst movies I've ever seen - completely unrealistic, totally bad. I don't know how they got some of the actors in this stinker to show up and actually admit they had any part in this abomination. If you want a gangster movie, this isn't one - they spend more time emphasizing nudie club make scences than doing anything as far as developing a story or plot - a real stinker - not even worth the wrapper it's packaged in. August 20, 2008

Awesome...Christopher Walken, chilling and complicated...

I recently watched this 1990 gangster thriller again and was blown
away. I had seen it when I was 17 when it came out and at the time
didn't really take note of the beautifully subtle performace of
Christopher Walken as Frank White, a recently parolled Kingpin who
immediatley takes control of the turf he left behind when he was inside.
Fantastic direction from Abel Ferrera, who seems to love Walken a lot,
for he shows up in Ferrera's 'The Funeral' and 'The Addiction'.
This movie is a catalogue of today's best character and supporting actors.

Lawrence Fishburne (billed as Larry Fishburne) is chilling and brilliant
in his potrayal of Frank's right hand man Jimmy Jump - he creates a character so nasty and psychotic he makes Ike Turner seem more like a nice
guy rather than a wifebeater.
David Caruso also shines as an honest cop pushed too far by the system that he decides to lead his own crew into battle to take Frank out - seeign that the system 'favours the scumbag'. Wesley Snipes has also never been better - in his Blade movies he's too cartoonish but from his
rare honest policeman role he really excels. The script is intelligent
and the story is tight - i don't know how some people think this movie is a mess - I understood it all immediatley - but then again I love crime movies. The action is also extremely cool, and the chase across the
Queensborough bridge in the rain is very stylish and exciting.
Cinematographer Bojan Bazelli's camerawork is amazing and also watch out for Steve Buscemi and Theresa Randle in some of their earlier work.
I understand why this movie isn't as adored as Scarface as the ending of
the movie seems like an anti-climax but I think the exciting 20 mins preceeding it is more climax than most cop thrillers. July 9, 2008

Blu-Ray? So So

The movie is great. I had a DVD, watched in the theater a long time ago so no doubt about it.

Now the Blu-ray. I don't know why the other guy said it's a razor sharp.
The transfer is so so. Most of the shots are slightly better than the DVD.

The sound is too small so have to boost up all the way. Gun fight sound is flat.

Well, I wouldn't say I regret changing into Blu-Ray, but couldn't say it's one of the best Blu-ray. July 4, 2008

Shaky and Disjointed

A lot of the older 80's and 90's gangster flicks show their age and technical limitations but are still enjoyable. "New Jack City" and "Scarface" are hardly the powerhouse thrillers they were in the day, but can still entertain. Even though these two films are filled with archaic styles and the territory has been way too explored, they hold up.
KONY is a different kind of gangster film, and it's serious identity crisis is it's major shortcoming.
Christopher Walken is great actor and fans may enjoy him here solely for his odd and imitable speech patterns. Personally, I'd much rather hear him scream for "More Cowbell!" than to fake his way through such a miscast role as "King of New York" drug kingpin Frank White. Walkens Frank White seems to brood and be an introspective druglord who seems in constant deep thought after his release from Sing Sing. As he and his crew play "catch up ball" and liquidate enemies and corner the dope trade, Frank White ponders Robin Hood actions like saving a South Bronx hospital from bankruptcy.
KONY is a film torn between a straight up shoot-em-up and a thinky art piece. The shootouts are surreal but entertaining, the conflicts and the "deep look" into Frank White are dull and move at the pace of molasses. The cinematography and lighting are superb but the pacing and classical background music make the film overtly melodramatic and overlong even at less than 2 hours.

You'll see a few familiar faces here-Lawrence Fishburne is bad as the full 80's "so fly" leader of Whites crew, complete with rope chains and a cartoonish dialogue. Steve Buscemi is not permitted any personality or significant lines that showcase his talents. Vic Argo, a character actor whose face you may recognize is decent as the cop on White's trail.

I wouldn't NOT reccomend this, but I would warn anyone going in it may not be what is expected. I love Walken and he amuses and entertains often. He's just not buyable as a leader of an urban drug ring, especially as he is so quiet and emotionless to lead the inner city crew that does his dirty work. June 13, 2008

awesome movie, razor sharp on blu ray

difference is night and day from standard def to blu ray. razor sharp clarity. May 22, 2008

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